Cable storage cartridge

ABSTRACT

A cable storage cartridge and assembly for storing an excess length of cable. The cartridge includes a rectangular carriage frame and a spool rotatably disposed inside the carriage frame. The spool is comprised of a first spool member having a radius protection loop channel on its top surface and a second spool member. Together the first spool member and second spool member define a storage chamber. The storage chamber lies in a different plane than the loop channel of the first spool member. The first spool member defines transition openings for allowing the cable to pass from the loop channel to the storage chamber. Carriage frame includes detent and catch tabs for retaining the cartridge inside a cartridge housing.

[0001] This invention pertains to a communication system in whichsignals are carried through cables or optical fibers. More particularly,this invention pertains to a storage container for taking up and storingexcess amounts of cable or fiber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The telecommunications industry is rapidly proceeding with thedevelopment and installation of optical fiber transmission systems. Anoptical fiber networks and other cable networks require numeroustechniques for managing and connecting a large number of cables.

[0003] In the management of cables and optical fibers, it is necessaryfrom time to time to provide slack or excess amounts of cable lengths.In order that cable network systems are neatly arranged and manageable,the excess amounts must be stored in a neat and orderly manner forfacilitating ease of use of the network apparatus.

[0004] Devices for storing excess amounts of optical fiber cables areknown in the art. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,121to Anton et al. issued May 7, 1991 teaches a cable storing apparatuswhich includes a spool for holding excess lengths of cable. In addition,U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,203 to Nelson et al. issued Dec. 20, 1988 teaches anoptical fiber distribution apparatus which includes a spool for holdingexcess fiber from a trunk cable. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,432 toBecker et al. dated Jan. 17, 1989 teaches a storage container for asection of an optical fiber.

[0005] Notwithstanding advances made in the art, there is a continuingneed for improvement in cable storage apparatus. One disadvantage of theprior art apparatus is illustrated in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No.4,792,203. In that apparatus, only multiples of predetermined fixedlengths of excess fiber can be stored on the spool. Namely, any completewinding requires approximately the same amount of excess fiber as anyprior winding around the spool. Accordingly, the spool does notaccommodate a wide variety of excess cable lengths.

[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,432, the loading is difficult requiringuse of a pincers (see FIG. 46, item 16 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,432).Also, and perhaps more importantly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,432 is notconveniently used with fiber optic patch cords terminating at attachedconnectors. In the aforesaid patent, the hole through which the fiber isto be fed is too small to accommodate a connector. If the part were madelarger to accommodate a connector, the storage density of the systemwould be reduced to an impractical level.

[0007] Furthermore, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,121, the amount of storagecapacity is limited by the fact that the cable is wound around theoutside of the radius limiting configuration on top of the spool.Therefore, the device quickly reaches its capacity and must be increasedin width in order to store longer cable lengths.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedstorage container for cable telecommunication systems including fiberoptic systems with enhanced performance and storage density whilemaintaining low manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One aspect of the present invention relates to a cable storagecartridge having a carriage frame and first and second spool members.The spool members cooperate to form a spool which rotates within thecarriage frame. The first spool member includes a loop channel forremovably fixing a loop end of the cable to be stored to the spool. Thespool members are configured with a center post around which the cableis wrapped for storage. A storage chamber defined by the spool membersand the carriage frame lies in a plane spaced from the plane occupied bythe loop channel of the first spool member allowing for increased cablestorage density. The cable passes from the loop channels to the storagechamber by means of transition holes defined by the first spool member.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cablestorage assembly which includes a cable cartridge as described above aswell as a cartridge housing for storing multiple cable cartridges inclose proximity.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention relates to providingdetent tabs and catch tabs on a cable cartridge as described above forretaining the cartridge in a closed position or retaining the cartridgein an open position respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable storage cartridgeaccording to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the cable storage cartridge of FIG.1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of a lower spool member according to thepresent invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a front view of the lower spool member of FIG. 3.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of an upper spool member according to thepresent invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a front view of the upper spool member of FIG. 5.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper spool member of FIG. 5.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a top view of a carriage frame according to the presentinvention.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a front view of the carriage frame of FIG. 8.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a side view of the carriage frame of FIG. 8.

[0022]FIG. 11a is a perspective view of a cable storage assemblyaccording to the present invention with a side panel detached to exposethe interior and showing a cable cartridge in an open position.

[0023]FIG. 11b is a perspective view of the cable storage assemblyaccording to the present invention showing cable cartridges all in aclosed position.

[0024]FIG. 12 is a top view of the cable storage cartridge of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 12a is a top view of the cable storage cartridge of FIG. 1showing the path of a cable being loaded into the cartridge.

[0026]FIG. 12b is a top view of the cable storage cartridge of FIG. 1showing the path of a cable to be stored in the cartridge.

[0027]FIG. 13 is a side cross section along line A-A of the cablestorage cartridge of FIG. 12.

[0028]FIG. 14 is a front cross section along line B-B of the cablestorage cartridge of FIG. 12.

[0029]FIG. 15 is a detail view of FIG. 14.

[0030]FIG. 16 is a front view of the cable housing shown in FIG. 11b.

[0031]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a chassis containing a number ofcartridge housings for storing cables and cable cartridges according tothe present invention.

[0032]FIG. 18 is a detail view of a detent tab according to the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 19 is a detail view of a catch tab according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Referring now to the several drawing figures in which identicalelements are numbered identically throughout, a cable storage cartridge1 according to the present invention is shown. A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2the cartridge 1 includes a carriage frame 3, an upper spool member 5 anda lower spool member 7. Although the terms upper and lower will be usedfor convenience throughout this specification, it is to be understoodthat the orientation of the spool members is not critical to theinvention, and, therefore, the invention may include first and secondspool members where either spool member may be oriented as the upperspool member or may even be oriented in a non-vertical alignment such ashorizontally or at some angle between vertical and horizontal.

[0035] The upper spool member 5 and the lower spool member 7 combine toform a spool. The spool members 5 and 7 are rotatably received by thecarriage frame 3 so that the spool formed by the spool members 5 and 7may freely rotate relative to the carriage frame 3.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 8-10, carriage frame 3 is generally planar andrectangular in shape and presents a front end 9, a back end 11, and twoside edges 13. The carriage frame 3 includes an internal wall 15 whichdefines a spool aperture 17. The internal wall 15 includes an annularrail 19 around the perimeter of the spool aperture 17.

[0037] The upper spool member 5 includes a loop channel 29. The loopchannel 29 is configured to removably retain a loop end of the cable ina fixed position relative to the upper spool member 5. The loop channel29 is configured to maintain a bend radius equal to or greater than aminimum bend radius of the cable to be stored. The upper spool member 5may include a number of guide tabs 40 to retain and organize the loopend of the cable as is winds through the loop channel 29.

[0038] The loop channel 29 may be comprised of curvilinear track walls39 and circular members 41. The curvilinear track walls 39 closelyfollow portions of the outer edge of the circular members 41, therebyforming the loop channel 29. Preferably, the width of the loop channel29 is approximately equal to the thickness of the cable to be stored.The channel should at least be less than 2 times the thickness of thecable to be stored so that the cable loop may be retained in the loopchannel 29. The two circular members 41 may be located in closeproximity to each other to form a portion of the loop channel 29′between them. The length of the loop channel 29 lies generally in asingle plane.

[0039] The upper spool member 5 includes an upper flange surface 31. Theflange surface is shaped and sized to be received by the spool aperture17 of the carriage frame 3 and to rest against the annular rail 19 ofthe internal wall 15. The lower spool member 7 includes a bottom flangesurface 45 and a center post 43. The bottom flange surface 45 of thelower spool member 7 is sized and shaped to be received by the spoolaperture 17 of the carriage frame 3 and to rest against the annular rail19 of the internal wall 15. The center post 43 has radius equal to orgreater than the minimum bend radius of the cable to be stored. Theupper flange surface 31 in combination with the bottom flange surface45, the center post 43, and the annular rail 19 form an annular storagechamber 47 for storing lengths of cable. The cable is wrapped around thecenter post 43 of the lower spool member 7 inside the storage chamber47. Although the preferred embodiment shown in the figures shows thecenter post 43 being disposed on the lower spool member 7, it is to beunderstood that the center post 43 may equivalently be disposed on theupper spool member 5.

[0040] The upper flange surface 31 defines a plurality of transitionopenings 33. The transition openings 33 allow the cable to pass from theloop channel 29 to the storage chamber 47. The transition openings 33may be separated by cable management blades 31′ which form a part of theupper flange surface 31. The upper flange surface 31 including the cablemanagement blades 31′ act to contain the cable within the storagechamber 47.

[0041] Significantly, the storage chamber 47 is located in a plane whichlies beneath the plane occupied by the loop channel 19. That is, thelengths of cable to be stored are not wrapped around the elements whichform the loop channel 19, but rather, the lengths of cable pass beneaththe upper flange surface 31 by means of the transition openings 33before being coiled around the center post 43. The cable storagecartridge 1 is thereby split into two levels, a radius protection levelwhich holds the loop end of the cable and a storage level which storescoils of the cable wound around the center post 43. In this manner, thecartridge permits more efficient use of storage space, for by dividingthe radius protection level from the storage level, the width of thecartridge 1 may be made significantly smaller while only slightlyincreasing its thickness and maintaining the same storage capacity.

[0042] The upper spool member 5 combines with the lower spool member 7by means of clip posts 35 and holes 37. The holes may be in either theupper or lower spool member with the opposing posts being located on theopposite spool member. The upper and lower spool members 5 and 7 capturethe annular rail 19 of the carriage frame 3 between them. The upperspool member 5 may include finger holes 42 to aid in rotation of thespool inside the carrier frame 3.

[0043] The carriage frame 3 defines an entry channel 23 near its frontend 9. The entry channel 23 permits the lengths of cable to pass fromthe storage chamber 47, through a side edge 13 and out of the cartridge1. The cartridge may contain two entry channels 23 as is shown in thefigures, thereby allowing access to the cartridge from two differentdirections. The symmetry of the loop channel is advantageous. The loopend of the cable may be routed either for rotation with the spool in aclockwise direction or for rotation with the spool in a counterclockwisedirection. This allows the spool to store cable approaching thecartridge from one of a number directions. Therefore, the second entrychannel permits access to the storage chamber from a direction otherthan the direction leading to the first channel.

[0044] Thus, as shown in FIG. 12a, the cable may be loaded into thecartridge by placing a center point 34 of the loop end of the cable intothe loop channel 29 at a point between the two circular members 41. Thecable is then placed inside the loop channel 29 around the circularmembers 41. A first length of cable 36 is transitioned to the chamber 47through a transition opening 33, transitioning two cable lengths therebycreated to the storage chamber 47 through the transition openings 33 andis then placed in the entry channel 23. A second length of cable 38cannot be transitioned to the storage chamber through a transitionopening until the spool is rotated in the direction of the arrows shownin FIG. 12a. Once the spool has been rotated as shown in FIG. 12b, thesecond length of cable 38 may also be placed in the entry channel 23.Thereafter rotating the spool inside the carriage frame 3 will wind thelengths of cable onto the center post 43 inside the storage chamber 47.The cable may be removed from the cartridge 1 simply by pulling thedesired length of cable back through the entry channel 23.

[0045] The carriage frame includes side rails 21 along its side edges 13for slidably loading the cartridge 1 into a cartridge housing 49 asshown in FIGS. 11a and 11 b. FIG. 11a shows a cartridge housing having aside panel 53 removed. The cartridge housing 49 essentially comprises abox with at least one open end. In FIG. 11a cartridge 1′ is in an openposition for allowing access to the spool. In FIG. 11b all cartridgesincluding cartridge 1′ are in the closed position for storage. Thecartridge housing 49 includes tongues 53 and grooves or channels 51along interior surface as shown in FIG. 16. The grooves 51 are alignedfor receiving side-by-side a plurality of cable cartridges 1. The siderails 21 of the cartridges are received by the grooves 51 of thecartridge housing. A number of cable housings 49 may be combined into ahousing chassis 60 as shown in FIG. 17.

[0046] The carriage frame 3 may incorporate detent tabs 25 along itsside edges 13. The detent tabs cooperate with notches 55 formed in thetongues 53 of the cartridge housing 49 to retain the cartridge 1 withinthe cartridge housing 49 when the cartridge 1 is in a closed position.The detent tab 25 is bent to allow the cartridge 1 to be pulled from itsclosed position into an open position. The closed position is when thecartridge is slid into the cartridge housing 49 for storage.

[0047] The carriage frame 3 may also incorporate catch tabs 27 along itsside edges 13. The catch tabs cooperate with notches 55 formed in thetongues 53 of the cartridge housing 49 to retain the cartridge 1 withinthe cartridge housing 49 when the cartridge 1 is in the open position.The catch tab 27 prevent the cartridge 1 from being pulled out of thecartridge housing 49 by extending into the notches 55 of tongues.

[0048] Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable storage cartridge for storing an excesslength of cable, the cartridge comprising: a carriage frame having firstand second pairs of opposed sides forming a periphery of the carriageframe, the frame having an internal wall defining a spool aperture, theinternal wall having an annular rail for receiving first and secondspool members; at least one side defining a side rail; the frame alsodefining a first entry channel leading from the spool aperture throughone of the sides of the frame; a first spool member defining a loopchannel sized for holding a loop end of the cable in a fixed positionrelative to the first spool member, the first spool member having afirst flange surface received by the spool aperture and on the annularrail of the carriage frame from a first side of the carriage frame, thefirst flange surface defining multiple transition openings through thefirst flange surface; and a second spool member having a center post anda second flange surface wherein one of the first spool member and thesecond spool member includes a clip post, and the other defines a holefor receiving the clip post thereby securing the first and second spoolmembers to each other and capturing the annular rail of the framebetween the first and second spool members; the second flange surfaceand the first flange surface defining a storage chamber beneath the loopchannel of the first spool member; wherein the first and second spoolmembers are rotatably received by the frame and wherein a length ofcable to be stored may pass from the loop channel of the first spoolmember through the transition openings of the first flange surface tothe storage chamber where by rotation of the first and second spoolmembers relative to the frame the cable may be wound around the centerpost of the second spool member and by means of the entry channel maypass from the storage chamber out of the cartridge.
 2. The cable storagecartridge of claim 1 wherein the loop channel is defined by at least twocurvilinear track walls and two circular members, the track walls beingspaced from respective circular members a distance less than two timesthe thickness of the cable to be stored, the circular members beingseparated from each other by a distance less than two times thethickness of the cable to be stored.
 3. The cable storage cartridge ofclaim 1 wherein the carriage frame has a detent tab disposed on at leastone of the sides.
 4. The cable storage cartridge of claim 1 wherein thecarriage frame has a catch tab disposed on at least one of the sides. 5.The cable storage cartridge of claim 1 wherein the entry channel issubstantially parallel to a side of the carriage frame.
 6. The cablestorage cartridge of claim 1 wherein the carriage frame defines a secondentry channel leading from the spool aperture through one of the sidesof the frame wherein the first entry channel is used when the cable tobe stored approaches the cartridge from a first direction, and whereinthe second entry channel is used when the cable to be stored approachesthe cartridge from a second direction.
 7. A cable storage cartridge forstoring an excess length of cable, the cartridge comprising: a carriageframe and a spool rotatably received on the carriage frame to rotaterelative to the carriage frame complete about an axis of rotation; thespool having a loop retention surface defining a loop channel sized forreleasably receiving a loop end of the cable thereby holding the loopend in a fixed position relative to the spool, the loop channel of theloop retention surface being substantially in a first plane, the loopretention surface also defining transition openings; the spool having acenter post and a base surface which in combination with the loopretention surface define a storage chamber, the storage chamber being ina second plane which is spaced from the first plane of the loopretention surface along the axis of rotation, the transition openingsbeing in communication with the storage chamber; and the carriage framedefining a first entry channel in communication with the storagechamber.
 8. The cable storage cartridge of claim 7 wherein the carriageframe further comprises guide rails for slidably mounting the cartridgeinto a cartridge housing.
 9. The cable storage cartridge of claim 7wherein the loop channel is defined by at least two curvilinear trackwalls and two circular members, the track walls being spaced fromrespective circular members a distance less than two times the thicknessof the cable to be stored, the circular members being separated fromeach other by a distance less than two times the thickness of the cableto be stored.
 10. The cable storage cartridge of claim 7 wherein thecarriage frame further comprises a detent tab for retaining thecartridge in a closed position inside the cartridge housing.
 11. Thecable storage cartridge of claim 7 wherein the carriage frame furthercomprises a catch tab for retaining the cartridge in the cartridgehousing when the cartridge is slid to an open position.
 12. The cablestorage cartridge of claim 7 wherein the carriage frame defines a secondentry channel in communication with the storage chamber wherein thefirst entry channel is used when the cable to be stored approaches thecartridge from a first direction, and wherein the second entry channelis used when the cable to be stored approaches the cartridge from asecond direction.
 13. A cable storage assembly for storing excesslengths of cable, the assembly comprising: at least one cable cartridge,the cartridge having a carriage frame and a spool rotatably received onthe carriage frame to rotate relative to the carriage frame completeabout an axis of rotation; the spool having a loop retention surfacedefining a loop channel sized for releasably receiving a loop end of thecable thereby holding the loop end in a fixed position relative to thespool, the loop channel of the loop retention surface beingsubstantially in a single plane, the loop retention surface alsodefining transition openings; the spool having a center post and a basesurface which in combination with the loop retention surface define astorage chamber, the storage chamber being in a plane which is spacedfrom the plane of the loop retention surface, the transition openingsbeing in communication with the storage chamber; the carriage framehaving guide rails and defining an entry channel in communication withthe storage chamber; and a cartridge housing for storing multiple cablecartridges, the cartridge housing having a plurality of channels sizedto receive the guide rails of the cable cartridges so that thecartridges may slide from an open accessible position to a closedposition within the cartridge housing.
 14. The cable storage assembly ofclaim 13 further comprising a plurality of said cable cartridgesdisposed in the cartridge housing.
 15. The cable storage assembly ofclaim 13 wherein the cartridge housing defines a detent notch along atleast one groove, and wherein the carriage frame of the cable cartridgefurther comprises a detent tab which acts in combination with the detentnotch to retain the cartridge in the closed position inside thecartridge housing, and further wherein the carriage frame of the cablecartridge comprises a catch tab which acts in combination with thedetent notch to retain the cartridge in the cartridge housing when thecartridge is slid to the open position.
 16. The cable storage assemblyof claim 14 wherein the loop channel of the cable cartridge is definedby at least two curvilinear track walls and two circular members, thetrack walls being spaced from respective circular members a distanceless than two times the thickness of the cable to be stored, thecircular members being separated from each other by a distance less thantwo times the thickness of the cable to be stored.